MUSKEGON, MI – The first of promised community forums on the relocation of the Muskegon Farmers Market has been scheduled for Monday, March 18.

Promoters of a new downtown market to be relocated from Yuba Street on the edge of the Jackson Hill Neighborhood will present the new market plans at the Beardsley Theater from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The theater is in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 427 W. Western Ave.

The Monday evening meeting is designed for the general public that attends the market from throughout West Michigan. New farmers market promoters will follow with a meeting of near-downtown neighborhood residents Tuesday March 19 and a meeting with market vendors Wednesday March 20.

Members from the Downtown Muskegon Development Corp. presented plans for a new market to Muskegon city commissioners last month. The plans are for a new $3 million to $4 million market facility at West Western Avenue and Terrace Street.

The city commission is being asked to endorse the plans that include the site being donated to the city by Downtown Muskegon Development and the funds raised by community leaders. After being constructed, the market facility would be owned and operated by the city, which would close down its current market facility and move operations to the heart of the commercial district.

The plans and designs for the proposed farmers market on West Western Avenue will be presented at the Monday community forum, organizers said. There will be plenty of time for public comment and input into the plans, they said.

The relocation of the farmers market has been a controversial subject for more than a decade as the city has been asked to consider moving the market to improve the facility and create activity in another part of the community. The new location is being supported by the downtown promoters to kick-start downtown redevelopment on the site that was once the Sears store end of the Muskegon Mall.

Cindy Larsen

“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, which is a major force behind the new market plans. “We are very encouraged and anxious to hear community ideas on how to make the new market a very special place.”

The new market plans call for 125 stalls, larger stalls than the
existing market as each stall will be equipped with water and electric.
The plans also call for a welcome center, community kitchen, small
indoor market for year-round operations and public restrooms.

Much of the public opposition to the market relocation and new facility plans are from those that like the current market location and facility, which has been a popular and successful operation for the city of Muskegon. Some find the new facility downtown catering to an elite customer base to the exclusion of many of the residents in the near-downtown neighborhoods.

“We need to break through fears and concerns,” Larsen said, adding that parking issues seem to be one of the biggest concerns raised. Market designers will discuss the parking options for market customers in the proposed downtown location at next week’s meetings, she said.

The Tuesday, March 19, neighborhood meeting is specifically for those living in the Nelson, McLaughlin and Jackson Hill neighborhoods. That session will be at the First Congregational Church, 1201 Jefferson St.

After next week’s series of community forums, Larsen said new farmers market proponents will refocus efforts on fundraising the nearly $3 million needed to construct the new facility and work on final design plans, Larsen said. Downtown Muskegon Development officials will need to draw up a contract with the city of Muskegon for the development and donation of the market.

“We will be in constant communications with city officials on the new market plans,” Larsen said.

The Muskegon City Commission initially gave a positive response to market proponents after seeing the relocation plans for the first time. Commissioners asked for the public forums and a meeting with vendors to help create a community consensus for the farmers market relocation.

Commissioners will have the final decision as to whether the farmer’s market will be relocated.